Management

Kenneth Cole Productions announced that Paul Blum has been appointed CEO, effective June 20. Kenneth Cole will continue as chairman and chief creative officer, maintaining his creative role over design and advertising. Hired in March as vice chairman, Blum brings over 25 years of experience in footwear, accessories, apparel, wholesaling and retailing to the position. He most recently held the position of CEO at luxury jewelry company David Yurman.

Gap continues to tweak its operating model in the hope of reversing the trend that put it on a downward spiral in the mid-2000s. During a call with analysts yesterday, company CEO Glenn Murphy revealed Gap plans to close 200 stores by 2013, putting the company's total store count in the U.S. at 700. In 2007, the Gap operated 1,150 stores nationwide. At the same time, Gap plans to step up expansion in the outlet center space for both its Gap and Banana Republic divisions.

Talbots announced it's named Lesli Gilbert senior vice president of stores, effective June 27. Gilbert will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Talbots core retail operations in the U.S. and Canada, as well as supporting the implementation of the company's store reimage and rationalization programs. She will report directly to Trudy F. Sullivan, president and CEO of Talbots.

Loehmann's Holdings announced that Steven M. Newman has been appointed CEO. Newman, who will also be a member of Loehmann's board of directors, joined the company this week.

At the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Wal-Mart's President and CEO Mike Duke energized associates, managers and leaders behind the goal of winning over the global customer of the future, which he called “the next generation customer.”

Performance Bicycle CEO Jim Thompson and Chief Marketing Officer Cindy Marshall have exited the company, according to sources close to the matter. Before joining Performance, Thompson was president and CEO of Golfsmith International, a multichannel retailer of golf and tennis products.

Online electronics retailer Newegg has pulled its IPO, the firm said in a filing with the SEC. In the filing, Newegg said that it "determined not to proceed with the initial public offering" but didn't give any explanation.

A senior executive from Sears testifying on behalf of the National Retail Federation told Congress that lawmakers should focus on jobs and the economy as they explore options for corporate tax reform. 

They spend hours each week touting favorite products, sharing home improvement tips and answering questions about everything from installing ceramic tile to venting a mircrowave. The Home Depot's social media store associates are part of a new hybrid group that spends two days each week managing the retailer's how-to community and creating content for use across the company. 

Brown Shoe Co., which operates Famous Footwear Stores, said it's named Diane M. Sullivan president and CEO. The company announced in January that it had promoted Sullivan, its president and COO.